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Ubeda, NataliaAuthor

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January 7, 2026
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Review

Consensus Document of the Spanish Nutrition Society (SEÑ) on Nutritional Strategies in Sports

Publicated to: Nutrients. 17 (24): 3862- - 2025-12-11 17(24), DOI: 10.3390/nu17243862

Authors:

Mielgo-Ayuso, Juan; Macho-Gonzalez, Adrian; Ubeda, Natalia; Sanchez-Oliver, Antonio Jesus; Martinez-Ferran, Maria; Fernandez-Lazaro, Diego; Aparicio-Ugarriza, Raquel; Roche, Enrique; Gonzalez-Gross, Marcela
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Affiliations

Alicante Inst Hlth & Biomed Res ISABIAL, Alicante 03010, Spain - Author
Inst Salud Carlos III ISCIII, CIBER Fisiopatol Obesidad & Nutr CIBEROBN, Madrid 28029, Spain - Author
San Carlos Clin Hosp IdISSC, AFUSAN Res Grp, Sanit Res Inst, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Spanish Nutr Soc SEN, Madrid 28010, Spain - Author
Spanish Nutr Soc SEN, Working Grp Nutr Exercise & Sport, Madrid 28010, Spain - Author
Univ Burgos UBU, Adv Res Integrat Physiol Life Res Grp IAFIV, Burgos 09001, Spain - Author
Univ Burgos UBU, Fac Hlth Sci, Burgos 09001, Spain - Author
Univ Complutense Madrid, Pharm Sch, Nutr & Food Sci Dept Nutr, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ Europea Madrid, Fac Ciencias Jurid Educ & Humanidades, Campus Villaviciosa Odon,Calle Tajo S-N, Madrid 28670, Spain - Author
Univ Miguel Hernandez, Inst Bioengn, Dept Appl Biol Nutr, Elche 03202, Spain - Author
Univ Politecn Madrid, Dept Hlth & Human Performance, ImFINE Res Grp, Madrid 28040, Spain - Author
Univ San Pablo CEU, CEU Univ, Dept Ciencias Farmaceut & Salud, Fac Farm,Urbanizacion Monteprincipe, Madrid 28660, Spain - Author
Univ Seville, Dept Motricidad Humana & Rendimiento Deport, Seville 41013, Spain - Author
Univ Valladolid, Fac Hlth Sci, Area Histol, Soria 42004, Spain - Author
Univ Valladolid, Neurobiol Res Grp, Valladolid 47005, Spain - Author
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Abstract

Introduction: Nutrition plays a fundamental role in sports performance by influencing energy availability, recovery, and training adaptation. In recent years, different dietary strategies have gained popularity among athletes, although the evidence supporting their efficacy is inconsistent. Objective: This consensus document, developed under the auspices of the Spanish Society of Nutrition, aims to provide a critical overview of the most relevant nutritional strategies currently used in sports and to offer evidence-based practical recommendations for both professional and recreational athletes, coaches, and health professionals. Methods: A narrative review was conducted following standardized scientific procedures by a multidisciplinary panel of experts. The analyzed strategies included high-carbohydrate, low-carbohydrate, ketogenic, intermittent fasting, plant-based, Paleolithic, and carbohydrate periodization diets. Each strategy was assessed based on its physiological rationale, evidence of performance in endurance, strength/power, sprint, aesthetic, weight category, and team sports, practical applications, and potential risks. Results: The available evidence shows that no single dietary strategy can be universally recommended for all athletes. High carbohydrate availability remains the most consistent approach for sustaining performance in endurance and high-intensity efforts. Low-carbohydrate and ketogenic diets enhance fat oxidation but often compromise exercise economy at competitive intensity levels. Intermittent fasting may improve body composition and metabolic health; however, it requires careful adaptation. Well-planned plant-based diets can support performance, although attention to certain nutrients (e.g., B12, iron, and omega-3) is essential. Paleolithic diets improve metabolic parameters but show limited direct evidence of athletic performance. Carbohydrate periodization is a promising tool for combining metabolic adaptations with competitive demands. Conclusions: Nutritional strategies should be individualized according to the athlete's sport, training phase, and personal context. Professional guidance is crucial for minimizing risks and optimizing benefits. Further well-designed, long-term studies on athletes are needed to resolve the current controversies.
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Keywords

AthletesAthletic performanceCarbohydrate periodizationConsensusDietDietary carbohydratesDietary strategiesEnduranceExerciseFastingFatFemale athlete triadGuidelinesHealthHumansIntermittent fastingKetogenic dietLow-carbohydratePaleolithic nutritionPerformancePeriodizationPlant-based dietSpainSportsSports nutritionSports nutritional physiological phenomena

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Nutrients due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency WoS (JCR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2025, it was in position 17/113, thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Nutrition & Dietetics.

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Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2026-04-25:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 21.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 11 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 5.
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 6 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

  • The work has been submitted to a journal whose editorial policy allows open Open Access publication.
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Awards linked to the item

This work did not receive specific funding from public, commercial, or not-for-profit agencies. Its preparation was supported by the scientific and institutional resources of the Spanish Nutrition Society (SEN).
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